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Organic foods — those raised without synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, antibiotics, and other chemicals — make up an increasing portion of America's menu, and for good reason.
Organic foods are produced in a way that protects the health of farmers, their families, and us — the consumers — and that appeals to health-conscious shoppers.
In addition to their health advantages, naturally and sustainably produced foods are better for the environment and biodiversity — the rich variety of animals, plants and ecosystems that support life on Earth. Every year, millions of tons of fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides find their way into streams, lakes and the groundwater we drink, not to mention the diets of birds, fish and beneficial insects. Supporting chemical-free foods helps reduce the load of pesticides in the whole environment.
Buying locally also has several benefits. It keeps locally hardy varieties in production (usually better tasting that those that have earned frequent flier miles on their way to your table), keeps farmers in business (helping them stave off the march of sprawl into our open spaces), and reduces the energy and packaging costs associated with large-scale commercial production and shipping.
Here are few tips for buying organic and locally produced foods:
- Look for the "certified organic" label. Organic standards are now regulated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and only "certified" produce and products are guaranteed grown to those standards. Because certification takes time and several reviews and can be quite costly, many small growers choose not to secure the official label, but still produce foods in an organic fashion. Getting to know growers at farmers markets is one way to find out how a grower produces his or her food products. Another is to ask your local grocer to post information about the food they sell.
- Whenever possible, buy produce locally and in season. Raspberries in February mean that your product has come a long distance and was bred to handle the shipping and storing process. Flavor and nutrition are often sacrificed. Consider how the now misnamed "delicious" apple manages to stay shining on the shelves in March. Many countries have neither the pesticide regulations nor the labor safety practices that are the law in the U.S., so there's no telling what is on or in your imported fruits and vegetables.
- Look for organically raised meats and dairy products. Increasingly, grocery stores are providing organic choices at the meat counter. Organic dairy products are important too, because milk products contain a lot of natural fats, where many chemicals tend to concentrate. Organic dairy farmers tend to have smaller operations, which means less concentrated runoff into local streams from manure. The animals are provided with high quality care, fresh air and oportunities to excersize to keep them healthy. The absence of antibiotics and pesticides in their food supply is good for the cows, the milk, the consumer, the farmer and local environment.
For more information on organic produce:
For information on the organic certification process:
To find local food outlets near you:
For other food tips visit:
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